Adjustable display rack



IF. KRAMER Jan, W, 3950) F: KRAMER ADJUSTABLE DISLAY RACK Jam, HK BQS 3 Sheets-sheet 2 V Filed June 14', 1945 Jan. 17, 1950 F. KRAMER ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY RACK 3 Sheets-sheet 3 Filed June' 14, 1945 L I l l I l l l l l l l l I I II INVENTOR v mnd/framer Ez x ATTORNEY 37 frdi Patented Jan. 17, 195

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY RACK Ferdinand Kramer, Port Chester, N. Y.

Application June 14, 1945; Serial No. 599454 (Cl. EII-M8) 6 Claims; 1

My present invention relates generally to display devices and has particular reference to an adjustable raci: of nevel character for accommodating and displaying rnerchandise.

A rack of the present improved character is in tended' primarily for use i'n department storesand other retail establishments, although its utility may obviously extend into other fields".

It is a gene'ral object of the invention to provide a structure which is not only adapted to display items of marchandise in an unusually effective manner, but which has a storage capacity comparable to, or even greater than, the capacity of the conventional shelved lixture which is customarily arranged behind the sales-person. Ordinary slielved cabinets have'numerous disadvantages, rom the standpoint of good merchandising practice, among which is the fact that the nierchandise is to a large extent hidden from view by virtue of the vertically superposed relationship of the shelves. This disadvantage, among others, is obviated by a rack oi the newly-devised type; and its unique design, its various features of adjustability, and its "large merchandise-accommodating capacity make it admirably suited to serve as a wholly modern and thoroughly utilitarian replacement for the conventional type of shelf flxture or cabinet.

One of the characterizing features of the improved rack resides ln the ability to adjust the parts into a relationship in which the merchandise display lies along a common forwardly-concave substantially cylindrical surface whose axis is horizontal. This adjustability is made possible by the employment of a pair of supporting uprights of special configuration, and by a special mode of pivotally mountin-g between them a series of platforms which are arranged at successive levels and are of predetermined Structural nature and proportions. In the preferred embodimentofthe invention, the axis of the cylindrical display surface is caused to lie at approximately the eyelevel of a person of average height, whereby all displayed items are substantially equidistant from, and fully visible to, a prospective purchaser.

Another feature lies in the ability to adjust the parts into other relationships whereby the rack may be employed entirely for storage purnoses alone, or partly for storage and partly for display.

A highly satisfactory way of achieving these results lies in designing the spaced uprightsso that they curve rearwardly upward along forwardly-concave arcs, and in pivotally suspending the platforms by means of upstanding ears disposed at the ends of each platform and pivoted to the uprights along an axis substantially offset from the plane' of the platform. This permits each platform to' be individually adjusted into different angularities to the horizontal; and per"- Inits' the conjoint adjustment of two or more of the platforms into positions lying" along a common ar'cuate display surface, as herei'n'before mentioned. Each platform may also be set at a z'ero angularity to the horizontal, whereby the platform may, if desired, serve a primary purpose of merely supporting the merehandise ln more or less conventional fashion.

ln the preferred construction, the uprights are ser shaped that the several platforms may be of identical, hence readily interchangeable, sizes; and means are provided for shil'ting the pivot axes of the platformslongitudinally along the'uprights, and for releasably looking the platforms in selected angular relationships to one another. This aords a wide degree of adjustability which contributes to the usefuiness of the rack for varying purposes and to suit varying requirements.

Another'characterizing feature of the invention lies in the provision of a plurality of speciallydesigned bins for accommodating the merch'a'ndise, and of means for separably securing" the bins to the platiorms. In the preferred design, each platform comprises a pair cf parallel spaced bars, and each bin is provided with a floor having iastenin'g elements adapted to engage with said barsin a= nrmbut readily releasable manner.

The employment of the rack in a retail store envisages the frequent removal from the platforms, and subsequent restofation thereto, of on'e or more bins during the process of selling the merchandise, or for purposes of' loading, sorting, inspecting, or otherwise handling it. With this n view, the bins are of such a construction that they constitute self-supporting individual units adapted to be arranged side by side on each of the rack platforms. In the preferred form, each bin is provided'with legs upon which it may be caused to stand when it is" separated from the rack as a whole. These legs project downwardly from the bin hoor to alevel beneath that-of the fastening elements by means of which the bin is securable to one of the plati'orms of the rack. In this way, the presence of these fastening elements does not impair the ease with which the bin may be independently supported on a store counter or the like; and, as a-result of the bar construction-of the platforms, the presence of the legs does not interfere with the desired association of the bin with any of the rack platforms.

In general, it is an objective of the invention to provide a highly useful rack which complies in large measure with the requirements of effective merchandising techniques. The .rack is staunch and durable, yet attractive and unobtrusive n appearance; it lends itself readily to economical manufacture; it is light in weight, easily transportable, and compact in nature, yet it affords ample facilities for the accommodation of substantial quantities of merchandise. It supports the merchandise in a manner which is neat and orderly, and readily accessible to the salesperson or purchaser. It permits the attachment of display signs and advertising matter, as Well as illuminating means, in a variety of ways and in convenient and effective fashion. And its various adjustabilities make it adaptable to a variety of different uses and to an unusually attractive and efficient display of the merchandise which it carries.

I achieve these general objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplied in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display rack embodying the features of the present invention, With all but three of the bins removed therefrom, so as to reveal the structure to better advantage;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing all the bins in position, with the platforms in one of the various relationships which they may be caused to assume;

Figure 3 is an end view of the rack with the parts adjusted into maximum display relationship;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view looking down upon one of the bins in association with one of the rack platforms; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

I have chosen for illustration a display rack intended for use in a department store or other retail establishment, to support and display a plurality of merchandise items such as men's shirts.

A pair of spaced uprights Io and H are formed as parts of a continuous rigid frame composed of suitable metal tubing or equivalent rigid material. The uprights I'll and II extend rearwardly upward along forwardly-concave arcs. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, these arcs lie on a common substantially cylindrical surface having a horizontal axis designated by the reference numeral I2.

The base of the framework has been shown as a. U-shaped element [3 whos lateral arms extend forwardly and merge with the bottom ends of the uprights Io and ll. At the top, the uprights may be similarly caused to merge with a U-shaped frame portion I4 which projects obliquely upward in a forward direction and is admirably adapted to support a display sign, advertising matter, an illuminating means such as an electric lamp, or other similar accessories 4 ments. The platforms are preferably of identical size, and are all mounted to the uprights in the same manner, having the same Structural features and capabilities. A description of the medial platform will therefore be deemed to be sufficient. This platform, it will be observed, comprises two parallel spaced bars or rods l5. At its ends, the platform is provided with upstanding ears IB and ll. Each of these ears is preferably of substantially triangular shape, whereby the bars I may be secured to two of the apex portions while the remaining apex portion is employed for pivotally securing the platform to the uprights l and H. This disposes the pivot axis in a substantially offset relationship to th plane of the platform.

Each of the platforms is adapted to support,

in separable relationship, a plurality of individual bins within which the merchandise is to be accommodated. One such bin is shown in association with the medial platform of Figure 1, for the accommodation of merchandise items such as men's shirts, this bin comprising a substantially rectangular floor [8 and angular upstanding corner pieces l9. It is preferred that these corner pieces diverge upwardly to a slight degree, to facilitate the loading and unloading of the bin. It is also of advantage to construct each of the corner pieces [9 of transparent material, such as a suitable plastic, so that visibility of the accommodated merchandise is impaired, if at all, to a minimum extent. The floor [8 of the bin may be composed of metal or other suitable rigid material. l The preferred Structural details are shown most clearly in Figures 4 and 5, in which it may be assumed, for the sake of convenience, that the bin shown is the empty or unloaded one depicted at the center of Figure 1, and that the platform with which it is associated is the medial platform of Figure 1.

It will be observed that I have shown the bars l5 as being rods of substantially circular crosssection. These rods may be composed of metal or equivalent material, and may be secured to the ear l6 by having their ends suitably threaded and extending through preformed openings in the ear, nuts 20 serving to hold the parts in rigid association.

The pivotal engagement between the ear and the upright IO is achieved by means of a pivot pin 2l which projects from a clamp 22 engaging around the upright ID. This clamp preferably comprises two portions which are hingedly connected as at 23 and Which are releasably held in frictional engagement with the upright ID by means of screws or studs 24 (best shown in Figure 5 in connection with the opposite clamp 29). By loosening the elements 24, the clam 22 may be loosened to a suflicient extent to permit longitudinal shifting along the upright IO, or the clamp may be removed in its entirety.

Carried by the clamp 22 and by the upstanding ear [6 are the cooperable gripping members 25 and 26. A small compression spring 21 is mounted on the pivot pin 2! between the members 26, 21, and a wing nut 28 engages with the end of the pin 2l, the latter being suitably threaded to accommodate this nut. By loosening the latter (as indicated, for example, in Figure 4), the detent portions 25 and 26 are separated to an extent sufficient to permit the platform to be moved into any selected angularity to the horizontal. If the nut 28 is then retightened, thus forcing the teeth of the detent members 25, 26

into engagementwith each other the platform may be lockedain the position into which it has been adjusted;

At the opposite endof the platform, the upstandingear' l 1 Figure 5) is associated in a similar: manner with the upright II. A loosenable clamp 2'9- supportsthe pivot pin 30, and a wing nut 31 permits pivotal adjustments tc be effected as; hereinbefore described.

I- have shown the iloor Ia of the. bin secured to'the corner pieces l'by means of rivets or studs 32 Each corner piecemay; be constructed in any suitable manner, and I have illustratively shown how a single element ofplastic materialor the-like may be employed for this purpose, the lower ends being foldedinwardly to form the superposed layers 33 and 34. secured to the floor [8, preferably at the corners, are a series oflegs 35 which may be held in position by one or more of the studs 32-, as shown most clearly n Figure 5. These legs are preferably composed of relatively soft material, such as rubber or the: like, and they may be recessed on the un der side, so as to conceal and shield the end of the fastener which secures them to the floor ll; In this way, whenthe bin is separated from the rack it may be stood upon a store counter or the like without marring the latter.

It should also be'noted that the legs 35 project-downwardly from the floor IB to' alevel beneath that of the fastening' instrumentality by means of which the bin is separably securable to the platform. I- have illustratively shown how a pair of fastening elements 36 and 37 may be employed for this purpose. These elements: are formed by turning back the ends: of a str-ip 38 which is secured beneath the floor ls-by means of rivetsor the like 39; The elements 36 and 37 are spaced apart by a distance suitable to permit engagement withthe two bars 15 of the platform. At least one of these elements is preferably formed as a resilient element or clip so that the application of the bin to the platform, and its removal therefrom, may be facilitated. I have illustratively shown a construction in which the element 31 is a relatively deep hook, while the element 36 is a resilient clip. In securing the bin to the platform, the hook 31' is first engaged over one of the bars l and the clip 36'is then snapped into position by merely pressing it against the other bar i5. The binis removed fromthe platform by a reversal of this procedure.

It is preferable that there be associated with each bin at least twoof the fastening instrumentalities designated by the reference numerals 36', 3land-38. Only oneof these is shown in Figures 4 and 5, but it will be observed that there are four rivets39 shown in Figure l. Two of these correspond to those shown in Figures 4 and 5; the other pair indicates the presence of a second fastening clip.

The pivotal association of each platform with the spaced uprights permits the angularities of the platforms tc be varied, with respect to the horizontal; and the various adjustmentsof the rack as a whole are thereby made possible. For example, in Figure 1', the lower platform 40 has been adjusted into a substantially horizontal plane, while the medial platform and the uppermost platform 4! have been adjusted into inclined positions. In Figure 2, I have shown a. relationship of parts in which each of the two lower platforms has been adjusted into a substantially horizontal plane, while the upper platform is in the inclined position of Figure 1. In

- merchandise to best advantage.

Figure: 3' ali: of the platforms have been adjusted into inclined dispositions.

One of the outstanding advantages of thezpresrent rack lies'in the ability to' adjust the parts as shown in Figure 3. It will be observed thatthe platforms are arranged alongia common substan tially cylindrical surface concentric with tli arcs of the uprights' [Hand I l. Thisiconcentricity is not essential; and under certain circumstancestheuprightsmay be of different curvature: from that shown inthe drawings; but' where ther axis of curvature of the uprights is substantially concentric withthat of' theplatforms, the latter may beof identical interchangeable sizes, which is obviously ofadded advantage. The main objective is to achieve an adjustability of the parts, as shown in Figure 3, whereby all of the merchanclise may be arranged along a common display surface which is equidistant from a single. point of view. Where the rack is employed in a department store or the like, the parts are so designed that the cylinder axis [2 is substantially at the eye level of the average purchaser, and at sucha distance from the rack that the latter may be positioned' behind the usual service counter and sales person, whereby a customer walking along the aisle, or standing in front of the counter, may have a clear view of a substantial array of marchandise. It will be understood, of course, that the rack affords this advantage even where there is no counter or sales person between it and the prospective purchaser.

Where the parts are adjusted into the relationship shown in Figure 1, the lower platform serves primarily to support the merchandise. in more or less conventionalfashion; and when the parts are adjusted as shown in Figure 2. it is only the upper platform which displaysthe Under certain circumstances, these partial-display adjustments, or an adjustment of the parts so that all of the platforms are substantially horizontal,v may be desirable.

Regardless of the angular dispositions of the platforms, the individual bins are readily removable at alltimes. This has a number of obvious advantages; among which may be mentioned the ability to bring one or more of the bins to the show counter, on which they may stand in convenient and self-supporting fashion to permit the customer to examine the merchandise more carefully. and to make a suitable selection from the stack or stacks which are thus made available. The separation of eachbin from the rackand its subsequent restoration into position. on the rack, are'procedures' whichare quickly and easily effected by virtue of the structural features hereinbefore described.

Dependinguponthe merchandise to be storedor displayed, itwill be understood that the platformsand the bins, as well as the uprights themselves, may be altered in'size to suit differing requirements. The invention is not limited to theemployment of three platforms, as shown in the drawings, nor to the arrangement of four bins in side-by-side relationship on each platform: Moreover, the platforms of each rack may be shifted longitudinally along the uprights, to suit different needs, or one or more of the platforms may be removed from the rack entirely.

It will also be understood that display signs may be conveniently mounted in a Variety of ways. For example, the forward portion of the frame piece M lends itself readily to the support of an effective attention-arresting display sign.

This portion of the frame serves also as a convenient support for electric illuminating means by means of which the merchandise may be displayed to unusually good advantage, especially when the platforms have been adjusted into the complete display relationship shown in Figure 3.

The rack as a whole is unobtrusive in appearance, and light in weight. It may be readily transported from place to place, and may be arranged in side-by-side, or back-to-back, relationship with other racks of similar character.

In' general, it will be understood that many of the details herein described and illustrated may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an adjustable display rack, a pair of spaced uprights curving rearwardly upward along forwardly-concave arcs, a series of platforms extending between them at successive levels, each platform being provided at its ends with upstanding ears, means pivotally securing said ears to being provided at its ends with upstanding ears,

means pivotally securing said ears to said uprights whereby each platform may be adjusted into different angularities to the horizontal, means for releasably looking the platforms in selected angular relationships to one another, said lastnamed means comprising cooperable gripping members carried by said uprights and by said ears, respectively, and a plurality of open merchandise-carrying bins detachably mounted in side-by-side relation on each platform.

3. In an adjustable display rack, a pair of spaced uprights, a series of platforms extending between them at successive levels and pivotally secured thereto so that each platform may be adjusted into different angularities to the horizontal, means for releasably locking each platform in selected angular position, a plurality of bins each of which has a floor adapted to support merchandise thereon, and means for separably securing said bins to said platforms, each platform comprising a pair of parallel spaced bars, said last-named means comprising fastening elements carried by the bin iioors on their under surfaces and adapted to engage said bars.

4. In an adjustable display rack, a pair of spaced uprights, a series of platforms extending between them at successive levels, each platform comprising a pair of parallel spaced bars and provided at its ends with upstanding ears, means pivotally securing said ears to said uprights whereby each platform may be adjusted into different angularities tc the horizontal, a plurality of individual bins each of which has a floor adapted to support merchandise thereon, and means for separably securing said bins to said platforms, said last-named means comprising fastening elements carried by each bin floor on its under surfaceand adapted to engage said bars.

5. In an adjustable display rack, a pair of spaced uprights, a series of platforms extending between them at successive levels, each platform comprising a pair of parallel spaced bars and provided at its ends with upstanding ears, means pivotally securing said ears to said uprights whereby each platform may be adjusted into different angularities to the horizontal, a plurality of individual bins each of which has a floor adapted to support merchandise thereon, and means for separably securing said bins to said platforms, said last-named means comprising fastening elements carried by each bin floor on its under surface and adapted to engage said bars, the bin width being appreciably less than the platform length whereby a group of bins may be arranged side by side on each platform.

6. In an adjustable display rack, a, pair of spaced uprights, a series Of platforms extending between them at successive levels, each platform being provided at its ends with upstanding ears, means pivotally securing said ears to said uprights whereby each platform may be adjusted into different angularities to the horizontal, a plurality of individual bins each of which has a floor adapted to support merchandise thereon, and means for separably securing said bins to said platforms, said last-named means comprising fastening elements carried by each bin floor on its under surface and adapted to engage with the platform to which said bin is to be secured.

FERDINAND KRAMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 541, 133 Ethier et al June 18, 1895 790,669 Winship May 23, 1905 844,672 Gover Feb. 19, 19.07

1,010,801 Rapp Dec. 5, 1911 1,188,212 Smith June 20, 1916 1,281,105 Unger Oct. 8, 1918 1,284,010 Wilbur Nov. 8, 1918 1,455,221 Myers May 15, 1923 1,587,713 Franzen June 8, 1926 1,612,563 Bells Dec. 28, 1926 1,671,231 Culbertson May 29, 1928 1,955,209 Tyler Apr. 17, 1934 ,108,122 Hall Feb. 15, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 317,196 Great Britain Aug. 15, 1929 OTHER REFERENCES Catalog No. 15, The Howell Co., St. Charles, Illinois, May 7, 1936, page 27. 

